Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 225346 Inspection date 21 September 2005 Inspector Mark Evans

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was first registered in 1982. She lives with her husband and adult son in a bungalow in a residential area of Syston. Children have access to most of the ground floor, including the lounge, kitchen, dining area and bathroom and bedrooms. There is a rear garden for children's physical play and activities. The family has a pet dog and a cat. The childminder is registered to receive a maximum of 6 children at any one time and currently has 5 children under 8 years on roll. She can take and collect children to and from local schools and playgroups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a range of activities, which contributes to their good health. They take part in regular outdoor play and engage in activities to help them develop physical skills and control of their bodies. For example, they have use of large apparatus and bikes in the garden area. Choice of outside play and visits to local parks give children a sense of freedom and they benefit from regular exercise and fresh air. Children are encouraged to use appropriate personal care, for example, washing hands after toileting to reduce cross contamination. Their health is supported by the childminder's knowledge of first aid and clear agreement with parents for seeking of emergency medical treatment. However, there is no fully stocked first aid box and not all accidents are recorded. Children are developing good eating habits and benefit from a healthy diet. They have a balanced range of foods, which includes some healthy options, for example,

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Helping children to be healthy

having fruit for their snack. The childminder gains information on any special dietary needs and preferences to ensure that the children have appropriate meals, which are in accordance with the parents' wishes. Children have good access to drinks throughout the day ensuring that they are well hydrated and comfortable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for within an environment where the childminder minimises many risks. They are able to move around the home and garden areas independently. However, there are some safety issues with regard to a pond, which is not fully inaccessible, and a smoke alarm that is not operational. Additionally, there is no emergency escape plan and children have not been involved in any evacuation practises. Children independently select activities from an adequate range of toys, books and equipment. The childminder keeps a check on the condition of the equipment and discards any damaged or broken items to keep children safe. Children's welfare is safeguarded through use of appropriate procedures and documents. For example, the childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of child protection issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are secure and very well settled with the childminder. They become independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities. Children spend their time purposefully and enjoy exploring the outdoor environment and natural items, for example, picking apples to eat and digging in the soil. They engage

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 with activities which contribute to their creativity, such as role play, play-dough and painting. Their social development is helped by contact with other children and play that encourages cooperation. Children experience a warm, caring relationship with the childminder. They demonstrate a sense of security with the childminder, being confident to play alone, but also to seek closer interaction. Children are cared for taking account of their individual needs and the childminder converses with the children to show interest and to support and reassure them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated as individuals and the childminder exchanges daily information with the parents to help with continuity of care. Children experience stable and consistent care arrangements, with the childminder and parent securing written agreement for business and care aspects. However, there are omissions for some records, including written parental consent for outings. Children behave very well. They have cooperative attitudes and enjoy playing together. Children's self-esteem and confidence is enhanced by the childminder's use of praise and encouragement. Children’s awareness and understanding of others in the wider community is limited by having few resources and meaningful activities that promote positive images of diversity. They experience their local community through visits to places of interest, for example, the train station, the library, parks and shops.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and benefit from suitable organisation of space and resources within the premises. They are able to make decisions of where to play and which activities to use, under the supervision of the childminder. Children experience some individual attention with the childminder, helping them develop positive relationships. Regular exchange of information between childminder and parents helps to promote continuity in their care. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge through relevant training and use of relevant guidance documents, for example, first aid and child protection. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Children Act inspection the childminder was required to complete an appropriate first aid course; develop the range of resources to promote diversity; improve records of accidents; establish a written agreement with parents and ensure that the outdoor area is safe and secure. The childminder has completed a first aid course to secure her knowledge and safeguard children's welfare; has obtained forms for detailing accidents, although has no recent records; has established written

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 agreements with parents to help secure the care arrangements for children; has made the garden area secure to keep children safe and has made improvement to the safety of the pond, although this is not fully inaccessible to the children.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that all accidents involving children are recorded and provide a fully stocked first aid box • ensure that the pond is safe or inaccessible to the children and obtain written permission from parents for any outings • devise and practice an emergency escape plan and ensure that the smoke alarm is in working order • develop the range of resources to promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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